The most painful part for Jesus about dying on the cross was being separated from God his Father (Mt. 27:46, Mk 15:34). God could not look on His Son while the guilt of all our sins, past, present and future rested on Jesus as He paid the penalty for our sins. When He rose from the dead, Jesus proved His power over death, so we know He will raise us up in His time (Jn. 11:24-25).
When Jesus told his disciples He had to die, Peter told Him it couldn’t happen. Jesus told him, Get thee behind me, Satan and called him an offence (Mt. 16:23, Mk. 8:33). Jesus didn’t want to be crucified – He prayed that His Father would not make Him do it (Mt. 26:39). Jesus, the man, was tempted as we are (Heb. 4:15). When we’re tempted not to follow one of God’s commands, the last thing we need is someone close to us telling us not to do what's right.
Peter denied Jesus 3 times during Jesus’ trial and felt terrible (Mt. 26:75, Lk. 22:62). That, by the way, is how we know that Peter did belong to Jesus. We’ve all heard people denying both Jesus and God as if it meant nothing.
The two resurrection words that warm my heart most are “and Peter.” The angel told the women who came to the tomb to finish anointing Jesus’ body, “But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter (Mark 16:7)”. Women like bringing peace and encouragement if men will listen. God knew that the women would tell Peter that Jesus still wanted him.
Women can melt a man by speaking kindly – Peter, you’re still a disciple – He wanted you by name! It worked – Peter was with the disciples when Jesus told them to Get Going! and gave them the Holy Ghost:
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: John 20:21-22
When Jesus said “and Peter,” He knew Peter wouldn’t get going after receiving the Holy Ghost. He knew Peter would go fishing instead, and He said “and Peter” anyway! Wow! Think about His love for you!
When Peter went fishing instead of starting the church as Jesus wanted, Jesus went after Peter again (Jn. 21). Having created Peter, Jesus knew that men are afraid to admit their feelings for fear of being hurt.
Peter had seen Jesus weep at Lazarus' tomb (Jn. 11:35), he saw Him mourn for Jerusalem (Mt. 23:37, Lk. 13:34) and Capernaum (Mt. 11:23, Lk. 10:15). Peter knew that if he let Jesus send him as God had sent Jesus, he would sorrow when people he loved refused the gospel. He wanted no part of Jesus’ sorrow or grief (Is. 53:3-4).
Peter was right about that. I sorrowed when my friend who was best man at my wedding refused to ask Jesus for salvation. As he recovered from a heart attack, I tried to tell him again. He finally said, “I get it. Free will means that I can choose to go to Hell if I want to.” His 2nd attack killed him about a week later.
Jesus pushed Peter to admit that Peter loved Him. That didn't make Peter love Jesus - he already did – but Peter wouldn’t recognize or admit his love for Jesus until Jesus pushed him.
Once he admitted to himself that he loved Jesus, Peter had to spread the word – Paul explained that it’s the love of Christ which pushes to do what He wants us to do (2 Cor. 5:14)! That’s why Jesus wants us to know and accept His love for us and ours for Him – we can’t do His work without it.
Similarly, a man must admit to himself that he loves his wife and then he must convince her that he loves her. If he doesn't do that, telling lost people that God loves them won't work because lost people will see that his wife doesn’t think he loves her.
How can anyone believe what we tell them about God’s Love for them if they see that we don’t love each other or that we don’t love them? When lost people see husband and wife forgiving one another and passing God's love and grace back and forth between them, however, they want God’s love for themselves. God gave us the privilege and the honor of telling them how to get it. Do you know how to tell them?
Jesus set us His example - "and Peter!" He meant and me, and He meant and my wife and our children and He meant and you. He meant and everyone who chooses to belong to Him, no matter what our sins may have been. We must forgive and encourage each other as Christ forgave and encouraged Peter.
Peter’s love was weak in John 21, but even weak love made him willing. God AZlways accepts whatever you have if you’re willing to serve Him. (2 Cor. 8:12). Peter planted and watered in his Pentecost sermon. God accepted what he had and gave increase to the church of about 3,000.
If your love is strong enough that you want to serve Him but don’t know how, find someone who is serving Him and help! God will give you more to do as you grow as Peter did. As with Peter, Jesus began a good work in you and He will perform it until the day He returns (Phi. 1:6).
We sum up the gospel of repentance, grace, forgiveness, service, and love in two words, "and Peter."
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